12 Day Tour from Anchorage to Anchorage

Vacation Overview

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This vacation features many of the most popular scenic vistas that Alaska and the Yukon have to offer. Begin your trip in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, then board a boat for an up-close look at the playful life in Prince William Sound and overnight In Valdez, the “Switzerland of Alaska.” Continue to Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.” Enter Canada’s Yukon Territory and overnight in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon and the territorial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Follow the Trail of ’98 over the same mountains that determined gold seekers traveled in the middle of winter, and continue to Skagway with its wooden sidewalks and colorful saloons. Spend two nights in Dawson City and soak up the exciting history of this Gold Rush town on your sightseeing tour. Cross back into Alaska via the Top of the World Highway and in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city, enjoy sightseeing and board a sternwheeler riverboat cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Next, ride the legendary Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park for free time to explore on your own; to take an optional wildlife tour to seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; to take an optional helicopter ride over the park; or to raft down the Nenana River. On your way back to Anchorage, stop at the Iditarod Visitor Center to learn more about this epic race—a great way to end your trip!

Scenic Highlights:Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Denali National Park, Matanuska Valley, Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, Tok: the “Dog Sled Capital of the World,” Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, Kluane National Park, Trail of ’98, Five Finger Rapids, and Top of the World Highway.

Guides:

Services of a professional Tour Director.

NOTES:

While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen, early season (May & early June) and late-season (September) departures offer even greater opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife. Departures after mid-August should enjoy blazing fall colors.

Alaska and the Yukon are blessed with exquisite scenery, fascinating attractions, and an extraordinary amount of daylight in the summer months. We take advantage of these extended daylight hours in this vast territory; therefore, some of the traveling days can be long. However, rest assured there are frequent photo and comfort stops.

Visiting and participating in activities in these locations is subject to favorable weather conditions.

Day 1Anchorage

Enjoy free time to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2Anchorage–Valdez

Board a BOAT today for an up-close look at the playful life in PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier, and the epicenter of the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964. Watch for eagles, whales, mountain goats, dolphins, and sea lions! Overnight in Valdez, the “Switzerland of Alaska.”

Day 3Valdez–Tok

Leave Valdez, home of the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal. On today’s journey, enjoy views of Bridal Veil Falls, Worthington Glacier, and Thompson Pass. Overnight in Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.”

Day 4Tok–Whitehorse

Join the Alaska Highway and follow along the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Skirt the shores of Kluane Lake, once a meeting place for crews constructing the Alaska Highway. Behold spectacular vistas of the rugged mountains of Kluane National Park, home to 19,625-foot-high Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. The next two nights are in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon and the territorial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Day 5Whitehorse. Excursion to Skagway

Follow the Trail of ‘98 over the same mountains that thousands of determined gold seekers scaled on foot in the dead of winter while heading for the Klondike. From Frasier, your Tour Director will suggest an optional train trip on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway to Skagway. Otherwise, continue by motorcoach to Skagway. Stroll the wooden sidewalks past charming false-front buildings and colorful saloons. NOTE:Operation of the White Pass & Yukon Railway to Skagway is subject to seasonal conditions.

Day 6Whitehorse–Dawson City

Head northwest through the town of Carmacks, once an important supply station for gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. A stop at the fiery Five Finger Rapids, a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers that passed this way. Reach Dawson City, the center of excitement after the first gold strike in the Klondike in 1896, which led to the world’s largest gold rush. Tonight, enjoy the high-flying entertainment of DIAMOND TOOTH GERTIE’S SALOON, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and an old-fashioned casino.

Day 7Dawson City

A full day to soak up the exciting history of this Gold Rush town. Highlights on your morning tour include Bonanza Creek, site of Claim #1, where the first gold strike was made; Robert Service’s cabin; and a photo stop at the SS Keno, the last sternwheeler to run between Dawson and Whitehorse.

Day 8Dawson City–Fairbanks

A long day and well worth it, as the scenery is magnificent. Motor over the Top of the World Highway and re-enter Alaska. Travel through the village of Chicken and west on the Alaska Highway. Stop at an authentic Alaska roadhouse before your early evening arrival in Fairbanks.

Day 9Fairbanks

Morning sightseeing features the highlights of Alaska’s second-largest city and includes a visit to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Board the STERNWHEELER RIVERBOAT Discovery III for a leisurely cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Listen as the ship’s guides discuss the wildlife, history, geology, and customs of the region.

Day 10Fairbanks–Denali National Park

Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a memorable journey through untamed wilderness. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed-roof car. The ride ends in DENALI NATIONAL PARK. North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley, dominates the park’s 6 million acres of glacial streams, river valleys, and multicolored tundra. The afternoon is free for exploring on your own.

Day 11Denali National Park

A free day for independent activities. A hike along the many wilderness trails might be good fun. Also take advantage of several optional outings, including a wildlife tour to seek out grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; a raft trip down the Nenana River; or a helicopter ride over the park. Your Tour Director will have plenty of other suggestions.

Day 12Denali National Park–Anchorage

Continue your exploration of DENALI NATIONAL PARK as you head south toward Anchorage. Stop along the way at the IDITAROD VISITOR CENTER, home of the great dogsled race. The motorcoach continues to Anchorage and the Ramada Inn Anchorage Downtown for guests extending their stay in Alaska. For guests with homebound flights, the trip ends at Anchorage International Airport. However, with possible delays for weather, we strongly suggest that guests do not book flights prior to 4 pm.

Transportation: Day boat across Prince William Sound; journey on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali National Park; private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.

This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANDREW MORAN

Years of Experience: 11 years

Born in Salisbury, England, I left England at the age of nine and ended up in Los Angeles. Some of my hobbies include travel, flying (I have my license to fly small, single-engine planes), gardening (growing my own fruits and veggies is awesome), and landscaping (it gives me a chance to learn about different trees and plants). My advice to travelers is to come with an open mind and look forward to learning new things. What makes other places so special is that they're not home!

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on the Alaska & the Yukon: